I mentioned to my son (Indiana University ’09) that I was taking a class on the history of the book and that I had just finished reading about Johann Gutenberg. He said, “You know that IU has a Gutenberg, right?” Well, I know now.
I decided to ask for permission to visit the Lilly Library at IU. Permission granted! I sent an e-mail asking about the procedure to examine the Gutenberg. I received a reply that same day, so I planned my trip.
The Lilly Library is the rare books, manuscripts, and special collections library of the Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington. I checked in at the main desk, put my stuff in a locker, and filled out a request form. I was then buzzed into the reading room. I showed my ID to the attendant and then took a seat. A young woman brought the book out to me and rested it on a cradle. She told me a few things to be aware of—basically to be very careful—and I got to work. A few minutes later a man came to check on me and asked what I was doing. He was very helpful, so I asked his name. “Jim Canary, like the bird,” he said. After I explained what I was doing he offered to get a couple of books that he thought would be helpful. They were. Jim Canary was very knowledgeable and patient with me, answering lots of questions. He really enhanced my experience with the Gutenberg. I stayed about two hours to get all of the information I needed for my report.
Sidebar: The Lilly Library is terrific! The current exhibit features letters from Edgar Allan Poe to his future mother-in-law, written on the day his fiancée broke their engagement; from Ernest Hemingway written while he was working for the Red Cross in Italy 1918; from Gregory Peck to Pauline Kael; and other gems. It was wonderful; I could have stayed all day.
I mentioned to my son (Indiana University ’09) that I was taking a class on the history of the book and that I had just finished reading about Johann Gutenberg. He said, “You know that IU has a Gutenberg, right?” Well, I know now.
I decided to ask for permission to visit the Lilly Library at IU. Permission granted! I sent an e-mail asking about the procedure to examine the Gutenberg. I received a reply that same day, so I planned my trip.
The Lilly Library is the rare books, manuscripts, and special collections library of the Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington. I checked in at the main desk, put my stuff in a locker, and filled out a request form. I was then buzzed into the reading room. I showed my ID to the attendant and then took a seat. A young woman brought the book out to me and rested it on a cradle. She told me a few things to be aware of—basically to be very careful—and I got to work. A few minutes later a man came to check on me and asked what I was doing. He was very helpful, so I asked his name. “Jim Canary, like the bird,” he said. After I explained what I was doing he offered to get a couple of books that he thought would be helpful. They were. Jim Canary was very knowledgeable and patient with me, answering lots of questions. He really enhanced my experience with the Gutenberg. I stayed about two hours to get all of the information I needed for my report.
Sidebar: The Lilly Library is terrific! The current exhibit features letters from Edgar Allan Poe to his future mother-in-law, written on the day his fiancée broke their engagement; from Ernest Hemingway written while he was working for the Red Cross in Italy 1918; from Gregory Peck to Pauline Kael; and other gems. It was wonderful; I could have stayed all day.
Sidebar for Rich—check this out. Comic Books at the Lilly .